Gould stated that John Latham in A General History of Birds first recorded this species in England, found at Wingham, East Kent, in 1785. Further specimens had come from Lord Harewood's estate, Yorkshire, Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire, and Salisbury Plain. Gould wrote that 'The very aspect of the bird, whether we regard its buff or sandy-coloured plumage, or the peculiar structure of its legs, indicates that it is a denizen of desert and sandy plains, a creature of the Sahara; and in such localities it dwells...'

Two adults are depicted with a young bird in the centre.

DISTRIBUTION: Breeds North African region and south and central Asia. Winters east to west India and south to northern Kenya. Rare vagrant to Britain during September to December and mainly in October