[Illustration:  Great Horned Owl]

“None of you like me because you are afraid of me, and so you would rather condemn me than not,” began the Horned Owl fiercely.  “But I am not afraid of anything or anybody.  I am a liberal parent and heap my nest up with food, like all the Owl and Hawk Brotherhood.  If I wish a Hen or a Goose or a Turkey I take it, though I may only care to eat the head; for I am very dainty, and any one is welcome to what I leave.  I also like wild game—­Ruffed Grouse particularly; but I eat rabbits and rats enough too, I warrant you.  I could give you a long list of the evil-minded rodents I kill in every one of the States where I live; but I won’t, for you might think I wished to prove myself no cannibal.  I don’t care what you think of me; for I am able to take care of myself, and quite independent.

“I do not even have to build my own nest.  In February, when I need a home, there is always an old Crow’s or Hawk’s nest ready for me; and as for my young, they are hardy and need no pampering!  Whooo-ooo-hooo—­ooo!  Hands off, Bird and House People!  The Great Horned Owl knows how to use both beak and claws!”

“Bound over for trial,” said the Eagle, “and you are lucky not to be committed for contempt of court.”

“He is a very cross bird to talk so, even if he does some good,” whispered Dodo to Rap; for the Doctor had given the Owl’s hoot so cleverly it all seemed real to the children.  Then Judge Eagle spoke again: 

“Now for my brothers whose keen eyes can look at the sun himself—­you who strike with the claws and rend with the beak in open daylight—­it is your turn to speak.  Marsh Hawk, where and how do you live?”

The Marsh Hawk was nineteen inches in length, with a long tail, pointed wings, and Owl-like face.  At first glance he seemed to be a bluish-gray bird, but on close inspection one could see that his under parts were white, mottled with brown, and there was also a large white patch on his rump.  He spoke very clearly and said: 

“I roam all over North America, wherever there is open country and free flying, and make my nest on the ground wherever I find tufted grass or reeds to hide it.  Marsh lands please me best, and so I am called the Marsh Hawk.  The voices of the Hawk Brotherhood are like the voices of the winds, far-reaching, but not to be put in words.  Mine is one of the softest of the cries of the Wise Watchers.  Some brothers take their pastime in the skies, but I keep near the ground, in search of the things I harry—­mice and other small gnawing animals, insects, lizards, and frogs.  Sometimes I take a stray Chicken or some other bird, but very few compared to the countless rodents I destroy.  House People do not realize that those gnawers are the greatest enemies that the Wise Watchers keep in check.  Day and night these vermin gnaw at the grain, the roots of things, the fruits, the tree bark, even the eggs and young of useful birds.  I am their chief Harrier; by chance only, not choice, am I a cannibal.”