1. The acute oral LD50 and chronic LC50 toxicity values for ethylene dibromide (EDB) were estimated for japanese quail. 2. Single sub-acute oral and intraperitoneal doses of EDB (1/2 LD50) and chronic oral doses of EDB (1/3 LC50) were administered to quail in order to characterise the sub-lethal effects of EDB residues. 3. At 24 h after sub-acute dosing, relative liver weight, plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AT) [EC 2.6.1.1] and L-iditol (sorbitol) dehydrogenase (SDH) [EC 1.1.1.14] were elevated and decreases were found in hepatic total lipid, total protein, AT and glutamic dehydrogenase (NAD (P)+) (GDH) and plasma cholinesterase (ChE) [EC 3.1.1.8] and total lipid. 4. Following chronic administration, elevations in relative liver weight, plasma ChE and total lipid, haemoglobin and haematocrit were found and hepatic AT, GDH and total lipid were decreased. 5. The changes in hepatic and plasma enzymes and constituents are discussed in relation to possible biphasic effects resulting from EDB exposure.