PEACOCK HERL WINGS. 



93 



on two or three together, taking care that the 

 stems are straight along the hook. If the taper- 

 ing has been properly done, the stems can be cut 

 straight off across the hook. 



PEACOCK HERL WINGS. 



Before making up wings composed of these 

 fibres, it is a good plan to strip off the flue on 

 both sides of the quill, for a short distance from 

 the butt end. They are then much more easy to 

 manage. 



To strip them, pass each in turn between the 

 thumb nail and forefinger of the right hand gently. 

 Take an equal quantity of rights and lefts. 

 Begin by placing a right along the left forefinger, 



Fig. 70. 



then on that place a left, keeping the quills flat ; 

 the left should be inclined a little outwards from 

 the * right.' Proceed in this way until you have 



