The Indians soon learned that an arrow sped at a GREBE was lost. The birds disappeared without a ripple, before the missile reached the spot. The hunters desisted—arrows were too valuable for pastime, and the Grebes became tame and friendly. Then a price was placed on the dense, resilient plumage by milliners and white hunters taught those gracile birds fear. I have seen hats made of their breasts and coats lined with entire bodies! That gruesome era passed without quite eliminating the Grebes. Under protection they are slowly returning to the lakes and rivers. They are shy and only stealthy approach can glimpse the stiletto head and burnished silver of their strong bodies.
Western North America. From southern British Provinces south to Mexico. Rare east of the Rocky Mountains.