Crossword Genius

Nameless bird, ultimately with scant illumination (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

starlight

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

'illumination' is the definition.
(I have seen 'faint illumination' mean 'starlight' so perhaps 'illumination' could also mean 'starlight')

'nameless bird ultimately with scant' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'scant' could be 'light' (similar in meaning) and 'light' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'star' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for starlight that I've seen before include "faint illumination" , "The illumination of a moonless night" , "faint glimmer" , "Express musically this" , "Twinkling overhead" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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