Crossword Genius

Reptile or cold bird? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

croc

'reptile' is the definition.
(short for crocodile)

'cold bird?' is the wordplay.
'cold' becomes 'c' (eg on taps).
'bird?' becomes 'roc' (mythological bird of prey).
'c'+'roc'='CROC'

'or' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for croc that I've seen before include "Pot tailless" , "creature heard to be a vicious one" , "Fierce reptile" , "Short reptile" , "Predatory reptile (abbr)" .)

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