river ducks

Duck Duck, n. [OE. duke, doke. See {Duck}, v. t. ] 1. (Zool.) Any bird of the subfamily {Anatin[ae]}, family {Anatid[ae]}. [1913 Webster]

Note: The genera and species are numerous. They are divided into {river ducks} and {sea ducks}. Among the former are the common domestic duck ({Anas boschas}); the wood duck ({Aix sponsa}); the beautiful mandarin duck of China ({Dendronessa galeriliculata}); the Muscovy duck, originally of South America ({Cairina moschata}). Among the sea ducks are the eider, canvasback, scoter, etc. [1913 Webster]

2. A sudden inclination of the bead or dropping of the person, resembling the motion of a duck in water. [1913 Webster]

Here be, without duck or nod, Other trippings to be trod. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

{Bombay duck} (Zo["o]l.), a fish. See {Bummalo}.

{Buffel duck}, {Spirit duck}. See {Buffel duck}.

{Duck ant} (Zo["o]l.), a species of white ant in Jamaica which builds large nests in trees.

{Duck barnacle}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Goose barnacle}.

{Duck hawk}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) In the United States: The peregrine falcon. (b) In England: The marsh harrier or moor buzzard.

{Duck mole} (Zo["o]l.), a small aquatic mammal of Australia, having webbed feet and a bill resembling that of a duck ({Ornithorhynchus anatinus}). It belongs the subclass Monotremata and is remarkable for laying eggs like a bird or reptile; -- called also {duckbill}, {platypus}, {mallangong}, {mullingong}, {tambreet}, and {water mole}.

{To make ducks and drakes}, to throw a flat stone obliquely, so as to make it rebound repeatedly from the surface of the water, raising a succession of jets; hence:

{To play at ducks and drakes}, with property, to throw it away heedlessly or squander it foolishly and unprofitably.

{Lame duck}. See under {Lame}. [1913 Webster]