The Journal of Ethology features reviews and original papers relating to all aspects of animal behavior, including traditional ethology. Papers on field, laboratory, or theoretical studies are welcomed. In contrast to many other ethological journals that prefer studies testing explicit hypotheses, the Journal of Ethology is interested both in observational studies and in experimental studies. However, the authors of observational studies are always requested to provide background information about behaviors in their study and an appropriate context to establish the scientific importance of their observation, which in turn produces fascinating hypotheses to explain the behaviors.