I've done a bit of looking because I love finding quills to use for plectrum.
http://blogs.findlaw.com/law_and_life/2015/05/if-i-find-an-eagle-feather-can-i-keep-it.html
It is sure I could not pick up the feather of a bald eagle. It seems much less clear about a golden eagle.
@ravenmadd-garcia A quill does make a wonderful plectrum! I, too, find feathers on the ground. And I know nothing of Golden Eagle feathers being off-limits.
EDIT on 3/18/16-- Important information, including info regarding eagle feathers here:
http://www.gpnc.org/raptors1.htm
Mike, I need a repair made to a tuning peg on one of my dulcimers-- due to life circumstances, I haven't yet gotten to it. Your dad posted step-by-step instructions for how to proceed with the fix. Whether I attempt the repair myself or take it to a luthier, your dad's instructions will be with me.
Sure is pretty! Mr. Mize made nice instruments, beautiful workmanship.
Oh, I am shocked and saddened by the news of John's death. I treasured both his friendship and the wonderful music he made. I'm reminded how through sites such as FOTMD and Soundcloud (where I am one of John's followers), John's music lives today.
I offer my deepest sympathy to John's family. He will be sorely missed.
Rest in peace, John.
I want to keep having fun making music at home-- it enriches a home to have music in it. :) To that end, I aspire to become a better, more careful listener. The better I get at listening, the more I'll enjoy, appreciate music and things musical.
Steven, you've got a treasure! I look forward to seeing and hearing Favor again; what you describe about the sound is just what I heard when John K played Favor in Hindman KY.
I also neglected to mention what you mentioned, Randy. F'real.
I tell a friend of mine who is learning dulcimer that I mess-up and it's good she hears me mess-up! I also tell her the difference between her and me is I have more experience.
I neglected to mention I always mess-up on WBB at some point. :)
Whiskey Before Breakfast has been the tune in my hip pocket for some years now. Due to life circumstances, I don't practice it nor play it regularly. It's always been a good jam tune when I've been in multi-instrument jams. :)
Ah, that instrument has a lovely voice, John!
I heard John play one of his Uncle Will Singleton dulcimers-- we were outdoors in Hindman KY-- and it sounded wonderful!
Ken, I bought the book several months ago yet haven't gotten to it yet. Looking forward to when life allows the chance to really enjoy it!
It's so cool you got to see Norris Bennett in-person, Ken!
Glad I could be of help, though unwittingly. Rob. Hope you're feeling better!
For those who have never heard of The Ebony Hillbillies, a band with a mountain dulcimer, have a look. Enjoy!
Strumelia has special glasses to look through when inspecting instrument photos. And I suspect they give her x-ray vision, too! 
When I had younger, healthier hands I enjoyed my wooden-pegged beauties.
Kimberly, that's outstanding! How neat you've got a mix of instruments to get a stringband sound. :)
Brian, that instrument sounds fantastic! (Everything you play sounds fantastic, truth be told.)
Thank you, dear Strumelia! I hope those same wishes are met for you throughout the coming year. 
JJNiles is an acquired taste, I think. ;)
The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles only contains a single mention of both dulcimers and the Ritchie family, according to a quick check of the index.
Wow, Brian, I've never before seen a harp dulcimer-- way cool! Your Gallier's a beauty, too!
Thank you, Skip, George, and John P for responding! I have not yet had opportunity to go further in exploring the problem with the tuner-- I now have guidance to help. Thanks again, friends!
Skip, the tuner didn't seem to be slipping in the wood. It's late so I'll not fiddle with the thing tonight. . . Thanks for your advice!
I've tightened the end screw-- the screw on the outside end of the wooden button-- and the tuner still slips/turns free. If you have experience working with Grover Star planetary tuners, please advise.
There are a few tunes I'd thought I'd never play. . . Black Mountain Rag was one of them. Surprisingly, when Mark and I were just jamming over the weekend, BMR just started to fall into place.
St. Ann's Reel is a tune I've never gotten worked out to my satisfaction. Maybe someday!
Lexie, I hope you'll be able to travel southeast someday and visit, play some tunes and share in fellowship at a mountain dulcimer gathering!
Happy birthday, Susie!
Rob, great run- down of the weekend! I felt like I'd made it to Appalachian Dulcimer Promised Land in Hindmam! I hope to go back!
PS- Kathy V and I had been, unknowingly, assigned to the apartment Jean Ritchie, George Pikow, and Edna Ritchie used when they visited Hindman. It seemed the history of the school and the village was present.
Dana, I imagine the vacation you, Jan, and Gail have had has been good for each of you girls! Hugs from me!
I have one of the late-Walt Martin's Sunhearth dulcimers-- a Lorraine Lee model-- and it's wonderful instrument. The tone is lovely, it's easy to play, and the craftsmanship is impeccable.
Also, I have a cool little instrument-- a small Kentucky hourglass with a diatonic fretboard-- built by Jerry Rockwell. The noter sounds so fine on this small-waisted instrument.
Hey, Kimberly! Laura Elder has been part of a regular group in Lancaster OH for some years. If she doesn't see this post, you could contact her privately.
PS- I want to meet you when/if I ever get back to Roanoke! :)
I got my first dulcimer ten years ago this month (I think). It was made by Tom Yocky. Though I no longer own it, it got me on my dulcimer journey. And I can't helpbut wonder whether it still has a home in the UK (with the fellow who bought it from me). . .
John, I'm thinking our own Ken Bloom did studio work on Monkees' music back in the day. . .
D, I used to have calluses from playing bowed dulcimer and look forward to developing them again when life allows. :)
Sam, I can well imagine that's difficult, frustrating. With a family history of dementia, I've felt concern over some of my own lapses. If I'm on the road to dementia, I'm hoping I'll always love music, appreciate it some way.
D Chitwood, have you determined what about your play is giving you the callus on the side of your thumb?
PS- i didn't even notice anything about a misspelling! Even if I had I wouldn't have cared. ;)
