16 MARCH 1985, Page 22

Heavy breathers

Sir: Although I see that the purpose of last week's Home Life piece was to send 1.IP believers in spirits, I wish Alice Thomas Ellis had told us what was producing the odd noises she describes. The only cone .1 am certain of is the deep breather, which is the hedgehog, because I had a similar experience one summer when the outside light revealed several of these creatures on the lawn. But what is the proper name of the anvil bird and are the laughing women more birds or a fox, or what?

Jo Binns

89 Canfield Gardens, London NW6