MATERIALS. 103 



The various poultry hackles are best obtained as 



heads and necks from the poulterer, 

 Poultry the winter months usually providing 



Hackles. the best feathers, when the birds are 



not moulting. 

 After the scalp and neck are taken off, the skin 



should be carefully scraped clean, 

 Scalps. then skin and feathers well washed 



with carbolic soap and water, before 

 being pinned out to dry. 



Mohair may be had from some local dealers, or 



from Bradford, cleaned all ready 

 Mohair. for dyeing. Peacock feathers might, 



until recently, be had at many fancy 

 shops, though the sword feathers are difficult to obtain, 

 except at tackle shops. 



Condor feathers may be bought at the milliners, 



where they are known as ' Eagle 

 Quills. quills," but the supply depends, to a 



large extent, on the caprice of fashion, 

 and as ladies wear feathers more in Winter than Summer, 

 they are often unobtainable in the latter season, excepting 

 wholesale from the warehouses. 



First quality feathers range from two shillings to 



half-a-crown each, but it is not 

 Condor Quills. necessary to go to this price, as 



there are usually second and third 

 quality feathers to be had, which are either locally 

 damaged or have some of the herl frayed off. These 

 are equally good from the fly dresser's point of view, 

 and are obtainable at half price. 



