MA TE RIALS, IMPLEMENTS, E TC. 1 5 



very well. There are white guineafowl feathers ; 

 they dye very well, but are not often used. 



Mallard. On the sides of the body under the 

 wings of the wild duck are found the brown 

 mottled feathers called ' Brown Mallard,' which 

 are used in wings probably more than any other 

 feather. Select those in which the brown part 

 extends down to the shaft, or nearly so. The older 

 the bird the better. The grey mottled feathers 

 called * Grey Mallard/ found on the breast and 

 flanks, are also used in strips and strands for wings 

 and tails. The brown feathers are occasionally 

 found on tame ducks. 



The Teal, Pintail, and Widgeon provide mottled 

 or barred black and white feathers, all something 

 alike, although those of the teal are more distinctly 

 marked than the others, and show best in wings. 

 The feathers of all three are used as hackles, and 

 dye very well. Feathers should only be taken from 

 these birds during the first three months of the 

 year. They are sold by the dozen in tackle- 

 shops. 



The Slimmer or Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) is 

 found in Canada. The black and white barred 

 feathers found on the flanks under the wings, and 

 the unbarred breast feathers, are used in wings 

 and tails. The Mandarin Duck, from China, has 

 similarly marked and coloured feathers. 



Jay. The blue-barred wing feathers of this 

 English bird are used as hackles, and occasionally 



