104 MATERIALS. 



Raffia grass is to be had from almost any nursery- 

 man or florist, and is used by them 



Raffia. to tie up growing plants. A few 



coppers will procure an abundant 



supply, which may then be dyed as required. 



Cocoa fibre is also useful as a 



body material ; it may be obtained 



Cocoa Fibre. from the makers of matting, or a 



new door-mat will yield a supply on 

 occasion. 



The various feathers used for wings can be obtained 



from the poulterer and game dealer. 

 Wing The gamekeeper is also usually 



Feathers. able to supply magpie, jay, various 



hawks, owls, and so forth, and 

 should these sources fail, ordinary varieties may be 

 obtained at cheap rates from regular dealers, in fact, 

 it is often more satisfactory to procure them through 

 the ordinary channels of trade than from outside sources, 

 where an exaggerated idea of their value often obtains. 

 Lastly, there is the taxidermist, who sometimes has badly 

 shot or spoilt skins to dispose of. To buy specimen 

 birds is, of course, out of the question, as the price is 

 prohibitive. 



The colour of these is immaterial, as the body and 



other materials used mask it to such 

 Tying an extent that it shows very little, 



Silks. if at all ; the all important qualities 



it should possess are fineness and 

 strength, the finer it is the less does it pull round in 



