Crossword Genius

High-flyer once seen going with papers for shredding (9,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

passenger pigeon

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

'high-flyer once' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'going with papers for shredding' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'going' could be 'on' (both can mean functioning or activated) and 'on' is found in the answer.
'papers' could be 'pass' (pass is a kind of papers) and 'pass' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

'seen' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for passenger pigeon that I've seen before include "Extinct migratory bird" , "long-distance flyer" .)

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app