1822 J. M. Good III. 15 The platypus or ornithorhyncus as he [sc. Blumenbach] calls it, that most extraordinary duck-billed quadruped which has lately been discovered in Australasia.
1859 K. Cornwallis I. 35 Know ye the land contrariety sways..Where black swans..With water-rats, duck-billed, come forth to the day?