FLY-MAKING. 201 



from the harsh, and to determine the proper size and 

 elasticity. Collect all varieties of dimension and 

 color, and tying each selection round the roots with 

 a thread, keep them in separate papers. After a 

 while, those that experience shall have proved to be 

 unsuitable may be discarded. 



The feathers of small birds make good wings for 

 trout flies, and there is not generally much difference 

 in their color. Our brown thrush is nearly the 

 shade of the English land-rail ; the robin furnishes a 

 fine and cohesive feather ; the woodcock's tail makes 

 a pretty fly, while the mallard and wood duck are 

 indispensable. 



There arc two distinct feathers from the mallard 

 which are used for different flies ; the brown and 

 grey mallard feather, both taken from the drake, 

 the former from the back near the wings, and the 

 latter from the body beneath the wings. The bird 

 must be in good plumage, and under the most favora- 

 ble circumstances they are both, except in simple 

 wings as hereafter .described, difficult feathers to tie ; 

 the fibres, although very fine, being apt to separate. 

 Another light feather, much easier to handle than 

 the grey mallard, is taken from the back of the can- 

 vas-back, but is of rather too pale a color ; that from 

 the red-lvad is of darker grey. For salmon flies a 

 larger range is requisite. The turkey of all shades, 

 but especially the black and brown of the wild bird, 

 is the main-stay ; the golden pheasant's tail is some- 

 what similar ; the peacock gives us excellent feathers 

 of many shades, and the finer herls from the eyes of 

 9* 



