Crossword Genius

NZ Rail in evil nonsense about going westward (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

notornis

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'nz rail' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'evil nonsense about going westward' is the wordplay.
'evil' becomes 'sin' (synonyms).
'nonsense' becomes 'rot' (rot can mean nonsense or rubbish).
'about going' becomes 'on' (both can mean functioning or activated. I am not sure about the 'about' bit.).
'westward' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'sin'+'rot'+'on'='sinroton'
'sinroton' reversed gives 'NOTORNIS'.

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for notornis that I've seen before include "New Zealand bird" , "Rare NZ flightless rail, the takahe" , "Kiwi bird" , "NZ flightless rail; inn roost (anag.)" , "rail in New Zealand - and one can't fly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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