Crossword Genius

Anonymous informant given a short stretch (1,6,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

a little bird

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'anonymous informant' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't judge whether this works.

'given a short stretch' is the wordplay.
'given' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'short' becomes 'little' (similar in meaning).
'stretch' becomes 'bird' (both can mean a period in jail).
'a'+'little' is 'alittle'.
'alittle'+'bird'='A LITTLE BIRD'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for a little bird that I've seen before include "one's secret informer" , "Robin could be described as" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app