I’d Like To Know

Q I’m curious to know if any birds go into hibernation. Mrs N.E., Dunoon.

A The North American common poorwill comes under this category, as it enters a state of torpor when its food supply of beetles and grasshoppers is scarce. Unlike other birds, their state of complete inactivity can last for many weeks, running into months. They hide among rocks, which is pretty clever as their feathers are similar in shade, helping them to blend in. The poorwill, the smallest in the nightjar family, lives for around three years on average.

Q Can you tell me if Abigail Thaw is a relative of John Thaw? I saw her in a brief clip on television recently and I think she looks like the much-loved actor who so wonderfully portrayed Morse. Mrs J.B., Burnley.

A Abigail is the daughter of John Thaw and Sally Alexander, his first wife. Abigail’s television work includes appearing in “Vanity Fair” and she also played Dorothea Frazil in “Endeavour”, keeping ties with the “Inspector Morse” role her father will for ever be remembered for. Abigail’s daughter Molly Whitmey also appeared in “Endeavour”, portraying her grandmother (in her younger years), and John’s wife, Sheila Hancock, also had a guest role in the series, which is a prequel to “Inspector Morse”.

Q I only recently learned that Victor Hugo wrote “Les Miserables” while staying on Guernsey. How long did he stay there for and does the residence still exist? Mrs A.F., Manchester.

A Victor Hugo was banished from France when it was under the rule of Napoleon III, and he lived in Guernsey for 15 of the 19 years he was in exile. Hugo lived in Hauteville House until he could return to France. Following his death in Paris in 1855, the house was given to the City of Paris by his descendants some decades later and turned into a museum. Hauteville House, in St Peter Port, is open to the public.