Gould remarked 'a species which, from its abundance and extreme tameness, must be to the Esquimaux what the Sparrow and Wagtail are to us.' During September and October Britain was visited by large numbers of these birds on the eastern coast and 'the great promontory of Norfolk'.

In the illustration are four young birds, with olive-brown backs, tawny bellies and white shoulders. A small figure in the background shows the tawny colouring of the adult in autumn and winter.

DISTRIBUTION: Breeding distribution circumpolar in north Palaearctic and north North America, between 83°N and 52°N. Winters south to southern United States, Mediterranean region, south Russia, central Asia and Japan. In Britain, small numbers; winters on coasts, mountains and hills inland, especially in Scotland