The Probert Encyclopaedia of General Information

QUILL

Quills are the large wing-feathers of birds. They were long used for making pens, the quills of swans being the best but the quills of geese most commonly used while Crow-quills were used to make fine writing instruments. Quills are still used to make sign writers' brushes, as the flexible quill has less tendency to cut the delicate sable hairs than a metal ferrule. Quills used for signwriting have a wooden handle inserted into the handle end of the quill to add rigidity to the brush.
Research Quill