A large study probing small fish and bird management (8)
I believe the answer is:
falconry
'bird management' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'a large study probing small fish' is the wordplay.
'large' becomes 'L' (eg in clothes sizes).
'study' becomes 'con' (con can mean to study).
'probing' indicates putting letters inside (probe can mean to make a hole in).
'small fish' becomes 'fry' (I've seen this before).
'a'+'l'+'con'='alcon'
'alcon' placed within 'fry' is 'FALCONRY'.
'and' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for falconry that I've seen before include "Keeping of birds of prey" , "art of hunting with certain birds of prey" , "Sport" .)