Re: lekking

[bonebug@halcyon.com (Joe Small)]

The word 'lek', it seems, is probably a derivative of 'lake', meaning to 
play, or to have a gay time.

Early references to 'lek' suggest the authors' underlying assumptions that 
some animals were capable of merriment.  A cursory review shows the word has 
not been used with respect to homo sapiens; an oversight we should quickly 
rectify:

One of the best features of the Judith River Formation exposures near Havre, 
Montana, is their accessibility.  I believe there may be no other place 
where pristine badlands are as close to a semi-reasonable approximation of 
civilization.  The Fresno Reservoir, with its constantly eroding Judithian 
banks is only about 10 miles from town.  As summer passes the water level 
gets lower, exposing dinosaur parts which had been liberated by the previous 
winter's storms.

In the afternoon, with pockets-full of therapod teeth, we joined the 
(shudder) non-paleo folks at the Fresno Tavern; where the gravel road meets 
Hwy 2.  Here, each and every summer afternoon, any student of animal 
behavior can quickly shed any doubts as to whether hominids partake in the 
delights of lekking.

The males of the species take turns approaching a large table.  The table 
surface is fuzzy green, approximating the primal 'field' of display.  Female 
of the species (sub species 'cow girl') sit on bar stools, pretending to be 
engaged in other matters.

Each male, in turn, accepts a long, tapering stick from his predecessor.  
(In some regions each male has a stick, but only one is observed at the 
Fresno Tavern)  Each tries to outdo the others with awkward posturing, 
whacking at egg images placed on the field, usually followed with short, 
distinct, monosyllabic utterances.

The behavior seems to be somewhat unsophisticated.  Unlike birds, who's 
choices of mates seem to reflect some preferred behavior, in the case of the 
Fresno Tavern there is no imaginable explanation to the eventual pairing.



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Joe Small - Amateur Paleontologist &   Editor of 'Bone Bug Journal,
                                       Field Notes':
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bonebug@halcyon.com                    amateur paleontology
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