FLY-MAKING. 121 



the purpose. We mean by head-room the bare 

 part of the hook shank at the top, where the 

 head of the fly is represented and the general 

 fastening oif is performed. 



To prepare the wing. With the fore-finger 

 and thumb of your left hand take by the shortest 

 plumes (a, fig. 22.) a wing feather of the kind 

 required, and with the thumb and 

 fore-finger of your right hand stroke 

 a portion of the plumes of the op- 

 posite side (rejecting the extreme 

 part nearest the quill) till it stands 

 at right angles with the stem, as b. 

 Select a proper quantity (somewhat 

 less than that shown in the figure) 

 and bring it even at the points, being 

 careful not to disarrange the fibres, 

 as regards their cohesiveness. Pinch 

 it tightly, to prevent any slipping, 

 and with a sudden motion strip it 

 cleanly off. Fold it so that the Fi ^' 22 ' 

 undermost side of the fibres (the side which grew 

 nearest the body of the bird) 

 may stand outward, and press it 



with the thumb-nail at the point 



Fig. 23. 

 round which the ty ing-silk will 



pass in tying it on (5), that it may lie the neater. 

 When thus prepared it will resemble^. 23. 



