Inference results in the context of the patchy and smooth models described in the text. The parameter describes the change of the Lyα equivalent width distribution between z ~ 6 and z ~ 8. In the patchy model, at any given equivalent width, only a fraction _p of the sources that are emitting at z ~ 6 are found to be emitters at z ~ 8. In the smooth model, the emission of each source is suppressed by a factor _s . The evidence ratio Z _p /Z _s is inconclusive and does not favor any of the two models. The results shown are based on the eight objects in the primary MOSFIRE sample presented here as well as the three spectra analyzed by Treu et al. (2012).