RCream and others,

Sorry but there is no 'good' substitute for jungle cock eyes. Starling, guinea hen, plastic imitations, et al, are junk. Period! The same holds true for some other natural materials. So your choices are: Don't use the real thing if the look doesn't matter; Use a lesser quality of the real thing if price matters a lot; Or, use a better quality of the real thing, along with paying its cost, if the looks of the end product are highly desired.

Allan