Behavorial Changes in the Pigeon Following Inhalation of Mercury Vapor

Abstract

Abstract Pigeons motivated by food deprivation were trained to peck on a key in order to obtain a reward, food. These birds were then conditioned to a multiple FI-15, FR-60 schedule of reward. When stable behavior had developed on this schedule, eight of eleven trained birds were exposed to mercury vapor. Following inhalation of mercury at about 17 mg/m2, marked changes in behavior occurred, as measured by a decrease in the average rate of responding in both the fixed ratio and fixed interval portions of the multiple schedule. A return to normal behavior patterns occurred after mercury exposure was terminated. The three pigeons used as controls showed no appreciable change in behavior during the entire experimental period.