FOR FLY DRESSING. 13 



imitation hackle with fibres only half the length of 

 the natural one from which they were taken. 



The following list will comprise nearly all the 

 other feathers required : 



Wings of starling, both young and old, of coot, 

 snipe, landrail, water rail, thrush, young grouse, 

 partridge, pheasant (cock and hen), woodcock, and 

 jay ; also the brown pink feathers from under the 

 wings of a peacock, and tail feathers from the tom- 

 tit, partridge, pheasant, and golden pheasant. 



For dubbing bodies, &c., fur from the hare's ear, 

 hare's face, hare's fleck or hair outside the shoulder, 

 the palest buff-coloured fur from the flanks and 

 belly of the opossum, mole, water-rat, and common 

 mouse, with odds and ends of cuttings from any 

 light blue, yellow, or brown refuse furs in a furrier's 

 shop. These, with various coloured crewels torn 

 to shreds, will, when properly blended, produce 

 almost any tint required ; the blending merely con- 

 sisting in tearing the separate threads into shreds 

 with the fingers, mixing them and tearing them up 

 together, until the various shades and colours are 

 thoroughly incorporated. A little practice will 

 enable an amateur naturally gifted with an eye for 

 colour to match almost any shade or tint with 

 dubbing. 



Floss silks of different colours were formerly 

 much appreciated for bodies, but the more modern 

 plan of using various quills, either in their natural 

 state or dyed, is a very great improvement. The 



