MA TE RIALS, IMPLEMENTS, ETC. 17 



A great many kinds of the feathers mentioned 

 can be obtained for next to nothing at the 

 poulterers' shops, such as mallard, teal, widgeon, 

 guineafowl, turkey, and hackles. This means 

 a great saving of expense ; for mallard, teal, 

 widgeon, and guineafowl cost 3d. to 6d. per dozen 

 in the tackle-shops ; turkey feathers 2d. each, and 

 undyed hackles 2d. per. dozen. Very often skins 

 of foreign birds, suitable for flies, can be bought 

 at naturalists' shops for much less than the prices 

 asked at the tackle-shops. I have in most cases 

 given the names of the countries in which the 

 birds are found, so that any of my readers who 

 have friends in those countries can possibly get 

 skins sent to them ; for skins that can be bought 

 for next to nothing in their own countries cost 

 a good deal in England. When buying a 

 skin, select the one the feathers of which have 

 the least quantity of fluff at the roots, are 

 the most glossy, and have the richest and deepest 

 hues, and in which the colour extends furthest 

 to the roots. There is the greatest difference 

 between feathers of old and young, moulting 

 and fully feathered, healthy and unhealthy birds. 

 See, too, that there is no sign of moth ; a feather 

 with the points of the fibres eaten away is 

 useless. Some feathers lose their colour after 

 being a short time in the water, regaining it when 

 dry. The kingfisher and blue jay (Indian) 

 especially, the green parrot, blue macaw, and 



