LETTERS FROM ALABAMA. 
105 
insects belonging to tlie order Aptera. The tail is 
composed of three slender bristles [setce)^ of which 
the external ones are held sometimes parallel to 
the central one, forming apparently but onej 
and sometimes diverging so much as to make 
two right angles with it. They are covered with 
powdery scales of a silvery lustre, in which respect 
they resemble the Lepidoptera^ as also in the very 
slight tenacity with which these adhere, coming off 
upon the finger on the slightest touch. 
One of the most prominent and most frequent of 
the sounds which strike a stranger here, and one 
which cannot fail to awaken the curiosity and excite 
the inquiries of even the most unobservant, is the 
call of the Quail ( Ortyx Virgimana). All day long, 
from morning till night, we hear the words Bob 
White,” whistled with invincible pertinacity in. 
every direction. The sound is exactly what may 
be produced by a person attempting to whistle 
these words, making the second syllable seven or 
eight notes higher than the first. It is loud and 
clear, and may be heard a long way off. The posi- 
tion of the bird, when uttering his call, maybe the 
top of an out-house, or a pile of logs; but his 
favourite place is the topmost rail of the fence ; for 
it is to the plantations he chiefly resorts, being 
rarely seen in the forest. I found a few days ago 
an egg of the Quail, lying on the bare ground in 
the midst of the public road ; it was pure white, 
very sharp at the small end, almost conical. 
Though it generally makes a large nest, well 
covered over, I am. told that it is not uncommon 
for it to drop its eggs on the ground, without 
any nest. 
Wilson has some interesting speculations con- 
