Abstract

Synopsis A comparison is made between normal birds and birds deprived of oral taste by bilateral section of the lingual nerves. Following nerve section the birds showed a marked reduction of food intake for the first few days after operation. On presentation of a novel diet birds with sectioned nerves rejected it, the extent of rejection depending on the mode of presentation and on the degree of novelty. It is suggested that taste plays a major role in the initial selection of food and possibly in the motivation to eat. The birds preferred a diet with 2 per cent citric acid added and a rejected one with 5 per cent sodium chloride; these effects were probably oral in origin. There was rejection of a diet with 0.5 per cent quinine hydrochloride which was rapid in all birds, with or without nerve section. There was a preference in all birds for a diet with 20 per cent sucrose; this may be post‐ingestional in origin.