BEST SORTS OF HAIR AND FUR. 89 



grizzled, grey, ginger, light red, dark red, and that 

 variety in which the dark red is divided by a 

 black listing. The dun or blue hackle is difficult 

 to obtain, not only on account of the colour, but 

 because, as it is wanted to dress minute flies (the 

 duns), those of the dun cock are rather too long 

 and gross, and those of the dun hen too weak." 

 The dun hackle is seldom to be got pure. Fowls' 

 feathers should be plucked in winter, and from 

 full-grown birds. The feathers of male fowls are 

 generally the best. The backs and tails of the 

 partridge, grouse, golden plover, snipe, and some 

 other wild fowl, afford excellent hackles. Golden 

 pheasant's feathers are most valuable for salmon 

 flies. 



Furs can be easily got at the furriers'. Those 

 most wanted are bear's, grey, black, brown, and dun 

 of every shade ; badger's, sable, and martin's fur, 

 particularly the parts about the head of the former, 

 and the yellow spotted portions under the jaws of 

 the latter. Squirrel's fur, American and English ; 

 also the fur of the water and house rat, field 

 mouse, mole, seal, both dyed and natural. Skins 

 of the black, sandy, and grey rabbit, in all their 

 varieties, are useful ; also those of the ferret, 

 weasel, and polecat. The fur of the ears, head, 

 and neck of the hare is most useful. Mr. Elaine 

 advises, " that skins of all kinds when they fall 

 in the angler's way should be looked over, and 



