d
gurgling came the note of the magpies, the jovial Kookooburras saluted
the sun with rollicking laughter, the crickets chirruped, frogs croaked
in chorus, or solemnly "popped" in deep vibrating tones, like the ring
of a woodman's axe. Every now and then came the shriek of the plover, or
the shrill cry of the peeweet; and gayer and more lively than all the
others was the merry clattering of the big bush wagtail in the distance.

As soon as the Kangaroo heard the Bush Wagtail, she and Dot hurried away
to find him. No Christy Minstrel rattling his bones ever made a merrier
sound. "Click-i-ti-clack, click-i-ti-clack, clack, clack, clack, clack,
click-i-ti-clack," he rattled away as fast as he could, just as if he
hadn't a moment to waste for taking breath, and as if the whole lovely
world was made for the enjoyment of Bush Wagtails.

When Dot and the Kangaroo found him, he was swaying about on a branch,
spreading his big tail like a fan, and clattering gaily; but he stopped
in surprise as soon as he saw his visitors.

After greetings, he opened the conversation by talking of the weather,
so as to conceal his astonishment at seeing Dot and the Kangaroo
together.

"Lovely weather after the rain," he said; "the showers were needed very
much, for insects were getting scarce, and I believe grass was getting
rank, and not very plentiful. There will be a green shoot in a few days,
which will be very welcome to Kangaroos. I heard about you losing your
Joey--my cousin told me. I was very sorry; so sad. Ah! well, such things
will happen in the Bush to anyone. We were most fortunate in our brood;
none of the chicks fell out of the nest, every one of them escaped the
Butcher Birds and were strong of wing. They are all doing well in the
world."

Then the vivacious bird came a little nearer to the Kangaroo, and,
dropping his voice, said:

"But, friend Kangaroo, I'm sorry to see you've taken up with Humans.
You know I have quite set my face against them, although my cousin
is intimate with the whole race. Take my word for it, they're most
uncertain friends. Two Kookooburras were shot last week, in spite of
Government protection. Fact!" And as the bird spoke he nodded his head
warningly towards the place where Dot was standing.

"This little Human has been lost in our Bush," said the Kangaroo; "one
had to take care of her, you know."

"Of course, of course; there are exceptions to all rules," chattered the
Wagtail. "And so this