The herl from the tail of the Magpie is used in the tradition of the North Country style to form the head. Many soft hackle flies of the North Country have a herl head typically from peacock or magpie. The herl from the magpie tail is much smaller and it is perfect for small to tiny flies. It can be also wrapped as a rib on silk body flies. It can be also wrapped as a rib on silk body flies or used for the wing case of beetles.