274 AN OWL'S jBAD HOLIDAY. 
than a distrust of the Divine Providence, a sub- 
tle form of atheism. What are chimneys for, 
pray? And as for soot and smoke, we were 
made to live in them. Otherwise, let some of 
our opponents be kind enough to explain why 
we were created with black feathers.” 
So, in brief, the discussion runs; with the 
usual result, no doubt, that each side convinces 
itself. 
We may assume, however, that these old- 
school and new-school swifts do not carry their 
disagreement so far as actually to refuse to hold 
fellowship with one another. Conscience is but 
imperfectly developed in birds, as yet, and they 
can hardly feel each other’s sins and errors of 
belief (if indeed these things be two, and not 
one) quite so keenly as men are accustomed to 
do. 
After all, it is something to be grateful for, 
this diversity of habit. We could not spare 
the swifts from our villages, and it would be 
too bad to lose them out of the Northern for- 
ests. May they live and thrive, both parties 
of them. ° 
Iam glad, also, for the obscurity which at- 
tends their annual coming and going. Whether 
they hibernate or migrate, the secret is their 
own; and for my part, I wish them the wit to 
keep it. In this age, when the world is in such 
