Crossword Genius

Marsupial in group with one bird (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bandicoot

'marsupial' is the definition.
(bandicoot is a kind of marsupial)

'group with one bird' is the wordplay.
'group' becomes 'band' (band is a kind of group).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'bird' becomes 'coot' (coot is a kind of bird**).
'band'+'i'+'coot'='BANDICOOT'

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for bandicoot that I've seen before include "Australian marsupial with long pointed muzzle and tail" , "Little animal" , "native of Australia" , "Insect-eating marsupial of Australia and New Guinea" , "Aussie native" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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