In an action for the “ recovery of personal property in specie" which corresponds to the common-law action of detinue, a judgment by default in favor of the plaintiff is erroneous, if the verdict of the jury does not ascertain the alternate value of the chattels.—Code of 1876, § 2944 ; Cummings v. Tindall, 4 St. & Port. 357; Bell v. Pharr, 7 Ala. 807.

Reversed and remanded.