Gould wrote 'From the vast extent of range over Asia and the continent of Europe enjoyed by this pretty species, it is somewhat surprising that a larger number of examples than the two recorded by Mr Bond in the Zoologist should not have been captured...in this country. The first was taken alive near Brighton in September 1869, and is now in the aviary of T.J. Monk at Mountfield House, Lewes, and the second was taken near Caen Wood, Hampstead, by a bird-catcher on 5th October 1870.'

The illustration shows a male (above) and female on a larch branch.

DISTRIBUTION: Breeds from Germany and southern Sweden eastwards to Kamchatka and from northern Turkey eastwards to central China. Winters India, southeast Asia, southern China to Near East and Egypt. Regular vagrant to Britain mainly in the autumn and more recently also in the spring