48 THE SALMON FLY. 



Among other natural hackles we have Bustard ; the Lineated Bittern 

 (Tigrisoitia lineatum) from South America, which is superior to that 

 from British Guiana, and of great value for its numerous cinnamon-brown 

 mottled hackles of all sizes ; Grouse, Partridge, Guinea fowl, Teal, Pintail, 

 Widgeon, &c. 



Yellow hackles are the easiest to get dyed and the most difficult to 

 get undyed. Toucan's, however, are very useful, and scarcely fade in 

 work. They are small and very fine in texture, so three times the 

 ubual amount is required for a fly. Yellow Macaics, on the contrary, are 

 coarse and more opaque. These are used sparingly. But by far the best 

 orange hackle, as yet discovered, comes from the neck of the Golden Bird 

 of Paradise (Xanthomelus aureus), a native of New Guinea. This bird is 

 about the size and shape of our missel thrush, and carries hundreds of 

 magnificent hackles around its neck (see illustrated hackles). For 

 "throats" or for Grubs, even for wings, these deadly feathers are perfect. 

 They play exquisitely in the water, never fade, and, though fine in fibre, 

 do not break or wear at the points. 



Speckled Yellow is got from dyed Gallina (a feather we prize highly 

 and dye many colours), Teal, and Widgeon. 



Blue hackles. The best natural blues are taken from Jays, Vulturine, 

 Guinea fowls, and from the Pitta (bertse) from Borneo. 



Jay's are scored with black bars ; the two latter birds are of a pale 

 blue, though the "Tocate" is of superlative brilliance. In mobility, 

 Vulturine's are best, and as long in fibre as a medium Guinea-fowl hackle. 

 Blue Macaw hackles, deep in tone, are no favourites of mine. A good 

 blue in fact, the best I have ever obtained is easily secured by using 

 as much of the powder as would thinly cover a threepenny piece of the 

 blue dye just mentioned, No. 3099 (sold by Woolley & Co., of Manchester) 

 in one pint of water. The plan is to first boil the dye in a saucepan, and, 

 when removed from the fire, to immerse the hackles for a few minutes. 

 They should be tied in dozens to the end of a stick, and well worked about 

 in the dye. Choose the whitest looking feathers. On taking them out 

 rub them on both sides, from roots to points, with a piece of transparent 

 glycerine soap; wash, and dry. Turnbull of Edinburgh, Holland of 

 Winchester, and Malloch of Perth have supplied me with some useful 



