Female doves were held under long (16 h per day), or short (8 h per day) photoperiod and exposed to actively courting males for 4.5 h per day for 15 days. The occurrence of egg laying and nest building was recorded daily. Behavioural observations were recorded for 15 min on alternate days.Seven out of eight long-photoperiod females laid eggs, whereas only one of nine short-photoperiod females began egg laying. Soliciting by the female and nest building involving male and female are the best indicators of a female's readiness to begin breeding. The occurrence of these activities is correlated with the growth of follicles and oviduct. Copulation and associated behaviours are not correlated with follicle and oviduct growth, and appear to be controlled by factors different from those governing courtship behaviour associated with the nest site.