DIFFERENT KINDS OF FEATHERS. 53 



tied up in bundles. Full descriptions of feather boxes will also be found 

 in Chapter VIII. 



The following are the kinds of feathers in general use. They are 

 grouped according to their affinities and to the relative place in the wing 

 they are best qualified to occupy, from the top downwards. 



Group I. Mallard, Canadian (or Summer) Duck, Teal, Widgeon, 

 Pintail, Grey Mallard, Gallina. 



From Canadian Duck onwards, not including Gallina, these are 

 given in the order of their value in markings. Teal is strongly 

 defined, and lends great character, whether as wing-element or as hackle. 

 Canadian Duck is more telling in its way ; it is especially showy as 

 " sides " or in tails. Pintail not quite such a favourite of mine as 

 Widgeon is an advance on Grey Mallard in distinctness of pencilling. 



By " Mallard," we always understand the rich, brown-mottled 

 feathers, few in number, found on each side of the back of the wild 

 Mallard or the tame species, just in a line with the shoulder, but as far 

 back as the flank. In some districts the west of England particularly 

 the brown tinge extends deeper down the fibres, thus taking the place of 

 the objectionable ash-coloured blurr, which is a terrible eyesore in wings 

 for other rivers than the Spey. These feathers vary considerably in 

 pencilling and depth of tone. The decoy Mallard often gives us a useful 

 reddish, un-mottled, white-tipped feather one less valuable than that of 

 the two Mandarin Drake gems, which are taken from the back, whence 

 they protrude. The latter kind are highly prized on the Earn. (A few 

 years ago when shooting I got a singular specimen of the leading tail 

 feather of an ordinary cock Pheasant. It is of a clear cinnamon-brown 

 colour throughout, and without the sign of a mark in the fibres. For 

 single strip-winged flies none of its kith and kin equal it, either in colour or 

 character. There would be an insatiable demand for them if Nature 

 displayed her freaks in this direction more frequently. The cross 

 between the Gold, or the Painted, and the Common Pheasant often 

 results in a feather somewhat similar, but inferior in quality.) 



Grey Mallard requires a little explanation. It is easily obtained, 

 owing to the great stock which most Ducks produce. But, although the 

 term " grey mallard " is commonly given in fly-description, the feather 



