Crossword Genius

Lark or jape ending with uncouth ribaldry (5,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

early bird

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

'lark' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'jape ending with uncouth ribaldry' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
an anagram of 'ribaldry' is 'arlybird' which is present in the answer.
A single letter 'e' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'or' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for early bird that I've seen before include "arriving in good time?" , "One up with the lark" , "communications satellite!" , "Chorus singer" , "Vermicidal" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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