- there is no `--pretty`, `--format` nor `--oneline` option is
- given on the command line.
+ there is no `--pretty`, `--format` nor `--oneline` option given
+ on the command line.
++
+By default, the notes shown are from the notes refs listed in the
+'core.notesRef' and 'notes.displayRef' variables (or corresponding
+environment overrides). See linkgit:git-config[1] for more details.
++
+With an optional '<ref>' argument, show this notes ref instead of the
+default notes ref(s). The ref is taken to be in `refs/notes/` if it
+is not qualified.