e Magpie with surprise; "It seems to me very slow, and
there's no sense in it."

"Why are the birds all perching together over there?" asked Dot,
pointing to a branch of the dead tree, "since they all hate one another
and want to get away. The Galahs have pecked the Butcher Bird twice in
five minutes, the Peeweet keeps quarrelling with the Soldier Bird, and
none of them can bear the English Sparrow."

[Illustration: THE COURT OF ANIMALS]

"The Swallow says that's the jury," answered the Magpie. "Their business
is to do just what they like with you when all the talking is done, and
whether they find you guilty or not, will depend on if they are tired,
or hungry, and feel cross; or if the trial lasts only a short time, and
they are pleased with the grubs that will be brought them presently."

"How funny," said Dot, not a bit alarmed at all these preparations for
her trial, for she loved all the creatures so much, that she could not
think that any of them wished to hurt her.

"If this is human law," said the Magpie, "it isn't funny at all; it is
mad, or wicked. Fancy my having to defend a Human!"

At this point of their conversation, the ill-feeling amongst the jury
broke out into open fighting, because the English Sparrow was a
foreigner, and they said that it would certainly sympathize with the
Humans who had brought it to Australia. This was just an excuse to get
rid of it. The Sparrow said that it wanted to go out of the jury, and
had never wished to belong to it, and flew away joyfully. Then all the
rest of the jury grumbled at the good luck of the Sparrow in getting out
of the trial--for they could see it picking up grass seed and enjoying
itself greatly, whilst they were all crowded together on one branch, and
were feeling hungry before the trial had even begun.

There was great suspense and quiet while the Judge was being chosen.
Although Dot had eaten the berries of understanding, it was generally
considered that, to be quite fair, the Judge must be able to understand
human talk; and, amidst much clapping of wings, a large white Cockatoo
was appointed.

The Cockatoo lost no time in clambering "into position" on the stump
near Dot. "You're quite sure you understand human talk?" Said the little
Wallaby to the Cockatoo. It was the first remark he had made, for he had
been quite bewildered by all the noise and fuss.

"My word! yes," replied the Cockatoo, who had been taught in a public
refreshment room. Then