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The aggressive and defensive behaviour of the ring dove was studied in response to a model predator and to another member of the same species. During a single breeding cycle defensive behaviour increased rapidly just before laying, reached a second peak at the time of hatching, and declined as the squabs became independent. Cocks showed aggressive behaviour to other doves throughout the cycle, but this response reached a peak soon after laying, and declined at the time of hatching.

The effects of seven daily injections of oestrogen, progesterone, progesterone plus oestrogen, testosterone, and prolactin were studied. In both sexes prolactin and progesterone (with and without oestrogen) increased defensive behaviour towards a predator; in hens these hormones also increased defensive behaviour towards other birds. In cocks, however, prolactin had no effect on the response to other doves; progesterone (with and without oestrogen) increased aggressiveness, and oestrogen increased nest-cooing.

Single injections of the same hormones produced similar effects, with the exception that testosterone and oestrogen in hens caused a temporary (1–5 hr.) increase in defensive behaviour. The latency of most hormonal effects was 30 min. to 2 hr., although the injections were intramuscular. This suggests a direct effect on central nervous mechanisms. Progesterone had a latency of 12–18 hr., suggesting an indirect effect.