Crossword Genius

Bird droppings over plaster walls (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

partridge

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

'bird' is the definition.
(I know that partridge is a type of wildfowl)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for partridge that I've seen before include "Flier" , "Peculiarly apt girder for the game bird" , "Game bird (in a pear tree?)" , "Widespread bird" , "1st" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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