Kangaroo Rat broke the stillness.

"If," said the Kangaroo Rat, "only a little horsehair can do that,
surely the prisoner can imagine the judge isn't a cockatoo, without our
having to wait for the horsehair. Let's get on with the trial."

This idea was received with applause, and the Swallow flew off in a
huff; whilst the Kookooburra, on a tree near the Court, softly laughed
to himself.

Once more the Pelican took up his position to open the trial. The
Cockatoo puffed himself out as big as he could, fluffed out his cheek
feathers, and half closed his eyes. His solemnly attentive attitude
won the admiration of all the court, and the absence of horsehair was
not felt by anyone. The Welcome Swallow, having got over its ill
temper, returned to help the proceedings; and the jury all put their
heads under their wings, and went to sleep.

"Fire away!" screamed the Cockatoo, and the trial began.

"My duty is a most painful one," said the Pelican; "for" ("whereas,"
said the Swallow) "the prisoner known" ("named and described," added
the Swallow), "as Dot is now before you," ("to be tried, heard,
determined and adjudged," gabbled the Swallow) "on a charge of cruelty"
("and feloniously killing and slaying," prompted the Swallow) "to birds
and animals," ("the term not applying to horse, mare, gelding, bull,
ox, dog, cat, heifer, steer, calf, mule, ass, sheep, lamb, hog, pig,
sow, goat, or other domestic animal," interposed in one breath the
Swallow, quoting the Cruelty to Animals Act) "she is" ("hereby," put in
the Swallow) "brought to trial on" ("divers," whispered the Swallow)
"charges" ("hereinafter," said the Swallow) "to be named and described
by the" ("aforesaid," interjected the Swallow) "birds and animals,"
("hereinbefore mentioned," stated the Swallow) "the said animals being
denizens of the Bush" ("and in no wise relating to horse, mare,
gelding, bull, ox--" began the Swallow again, when the Cockatoo raised
his crest, and screamed out "STOP THAT, I TELL YOU!" and the Pelican
continued stating the charge.) "Bush law" ("enacts," said the Swallow)
"that" ("whereas," prompted the Swallow) "all individual rights"
("whatsoever," put in the Swallow) "shall be according to the statute
Victoria--"

"Victoria! Twenty to one against the field," shouted the judge.

"Between you two," said the Pelican, looking angrily at the Swallow and
the Cockatoo, "I've forgotten everything I was going to say! I shan't
go on!"

"Never