from S.F. Baird and others, 1884, The Water Birds of North America:
"... This large and conspicuous species was first make known in the "Report of the Pacific Railroad Explorations" [1858], from specimens collected by Drs. Kennerly, Cooper, and Suckley, at Bodega, Cal., in Shoalwater Bay, Fort Steilacoom, and on Puget Sound. Since that time this bird has been ascertained to ahve an extended distribution from the Pacific coast of Southern California to Shoal Lake, in the Fur Regions. .." -- [S.F. Baird, T.M. Brewer, and R. Ridgway, 1884, The Water Birds of North America: Little, Brown and Company, Boston, v.II, p.422]

William Clark, March 7, 1806: "... There are two Species of Loons. 1st the Speckled loon found on every part of the rivers of this quarter, they are the Same Size Colour and form with those of the Ohio, and atlantic coasts. the 2d Species we first met with at the great falls of the Columbia and from thence down. this bird is not more than half the Size of the Speckled loon, it's neck is long, Slender and white in front. the colour of the body and back of the neck and hear are of a dun or ash Colour, the breast and belly are white. the back is like that of the Speckled loon, and like them it cannot fly, but flutters along on the top of the water or Dives for Security when pursued. ..." -- (Source: Captain William Clark, March 7, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop, in reference to the Pacific Loon and the Western Grebe, IN: Moulton, G., (ed.), Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, online edition, University of Nebraska.)