The
Pelican said nothing, but stared at the judge with an eye of such
astonishment and stern contempt, that the Cockatoo Instantly remembered
that he was a judge, and, getting into a proper attitude, said hastily,
"Advance Australia! Who's the next witness?" And again the Kookooburra
laughed to himself on the tree.
"Fur first!" exclaimed a white Ibis. "Call the Platypus!"
"The Platypus won't come!" cried the Kangaroo Rat.
"Well, I never!" exclaimed the judge.
"It says that if a Court is held at all, it should be conducted by the
representative of Antediluvian custom, the most ancient and learned
creatures, such as the Iguana, the Snake, and Ornithorhyncus Paradoxus.
That it would prefer to associate with the meanest Troglodite, rather than
appear amongst the present company. I understood it to say," continued
the Kangaroo Rat, "that real law could only be understood by those deeply
learned in fossils."
"'Pon my word!" ejaculated the judge. "Shiver my timbers. What blooming
impudence!"
"Oh you naughty bird to use such words!" exclaimed Dot. But all the Court
murmured "How clever!" and the Cockatoo was pleased.
"Native Cat, next!" shouted the white Ibis. But at the first mention of
the Native Cat nearly every bird, and all the small game, prepared to get
away.
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