Electrical stimulation of the forebrain (neo-striatum and paleostriatum) in the ring dove affected preening and feeding behavior. Stimulation increased the number of feeding bouts; bouts directed to millet and hay were prolonged but not those to grit or feces. Under continual reinforcement, stimulation increased the operant response rate progressively with time; this increase was due to a higher feeding rate rather than an increase in motivation, since on a partial reinforcement schedule stimulated birds worked no harder than normal. Satiated birds could not be made to perform an operant task during electrical stimulation of the brain. Stimulation appears to facilitate feeding behavior normally elicited by food in the environment.