52 THF SALMON FLY. 



of young ones. This is very noticeable with Turkeys ; the best " white 

 tips " for " Jock Scott " are sometimes found under the tail of old male 

 birds, and at the bottom of the back. Feathers should be obtained as 

 fresh as possible. " Peacocks " tails, especially, soon become brittle and 

 lose their virtue. I preserve my collection in tin boxes, and sprinkle 

 among them crystals of naphthaline, which is the best means of prevent- 

 ing insect intrusion. This crystal, extracted by distillation from coal 

 tar, has a strong aromatic smell, but the sprinking must be renewed 

 about three times in one year. A Ibo carbon is cheaper and also answers 

 the purpose. 



The best way to keep large " toppings" is to. cap one exactly over 

 the other in bundles of four. Held at both ends by one person, they 

 should then be well whipped at the butt with unwaxed tying silk, by 

 another, and put on their sides some bundles on their right, and as many 

 on their left in a partition of the fly box just wide enough to hold 

 them without interrupting their natural bend. 



The process of " marrying " strips of feathers for wings will be 

 explained in the next chapter. 



All the commonly-used feathers of the Duck tribe are pre-eminently 

 " philogamists " (if I may coin a word) Canadian Duck, Teal, Pintail, 

 and more especially Widgeon. Turkey, Peacock wing, and Bustard are 

 not difficult to marry either. All the Pheasant tails are somewhat coy ; 

 whilst red Macaw is simply exasperating to a " match-making " fly- 

 dresser. A little patient practice will reveal the cases in which lasting 

 unions are easiest effected, and give point to our doctrines on the qualities 

 in feathers, some to be secured by careful choice, others to be dealt with 

 by skilful management. 



Before grouping feathers and making further comments upon them, 

 it is as well to remind the reader that wing-feathers, such as dyed Swan, 

 are liable to curl up and get out of shape. Into this, an occasional 

 examination is prudent and advisable. Many of these feathers can be 

 smoothed into shape with clean, cool fingers, and repacked carefully as 

 before ; but other special directions will be given in Chapter VIII. 

 Jungle-fowl (Gallus sonnerati), as a wing decoration, is not included ; it 

 stands by itself ; there is nothing to group with it. Hackles are best 



