Gould referred to a specimen being recorded in Ireland in 1866, which he saw in London, 'in rather a bad state of preservation'. But 'my son, Dr Franklin Gould brought me fine examples of both sexes killed by himself in winter' from Mentone.

The background of an Indian-style building and plants may indicate that Gould perhaps intended this illustration for The Birds of Asia, but reconsidered it for The Birds of Great Britain, where the plate has no background.

DISTRIBUTION: Breeds southern Europe, northwest Africa and southern Asia. Mainly resident but partial migrant south to west and north Africa and south Asia. Rare vagrant to Britain and only two authenticated records, 1985 and 1987; previous records are now thought to more likely refer to escapees