HABITUATION OF RESPONSES OF QUAIL (COLINUS-VIRGINIANUS) TO A HAWK (BUTEO-SWAINSONI) - MEASUREMENT THROUGH AN INNATE SUPPRESSION TECHNIQUE

Following training on a variable interval 2-min reinforcement schedule, bobwhite quail were shown a hawk or a pigeon twice daily for 4 days, then shifted to presentations of the other stimulus for 3 days. Ten-sec presentations of the perched hawk initially released a strong freezing response, thus suppressing key-pecking. The pigeon presentations led to significantly less suppression, but tended to reduce the effect of initial hawk presentations. Habituation to the live hawk was rapid; no recovery of the freezing response was observed. These results point out the modifiability of this type of innate behaviour. © 1969.