Measurements have been made of the amount of dilute alcohol (15% v/v) consumed by adult male rats fed an adequate diet. When both water and alcohol were made available, most rats usually chose water. The relative proportions of the two liquids consumed appeared to be influenced by the positions of the food, water, and alcohol dispensers. Had these observations been less complete, the unwarranted conclusion might have been drawn that some of the rats (possibly for genetic reasons) displayed a marked preference for alcohol.