16 HOW TO TIE SALMON FLIES. 



those with blue on both sides of the shaft whole 

 in wings. Select feathers from old birds only, in 

 which the bars are most distinct. These feathers 

 should be obtained as fresh as possible, otherwise 

 they lose their brilliancy in the water. Wings 

 sold. 



Strands of the Scarlet Ibis wing feathers are 

 used in wings. The hackles are useless, as they 

 are too limp, and have no life in the water. 



Turkeys tail feathers are very useful for wings. 

 There are a great many varieties, all useful ; but 

 the two which are more generally used are the 

 brown, with black bar and white tip, and the grey, 

 with black bar and white tip. Feathers from old 

 birds only should be used, as those from young 

 ones are too limp. The feathers under the tail are 

 best for small flies. Feathers sold by the dozen. 



Swan. Strands or strips of the feathers of this 

 bird, when dyed, are very useful for wings. They 

 dye all colours well. 



Peacocks tail feathers, both the ' sword ' and 

 ' eyed,' are much used for butts, heads, and wings. 

 The green breast feathers are sometimes used as 

 hackles. Strips and strands of the speckled wing 

 feathers are very useful for wings. The tail 

 feathers should always be fresh, as they become 

 brittle with age. 



Ostrich Feathers dye all colours well, and pro- 

 vide material for the butts of nearly all salmon 

 flies. 



