Ruth removing top sees leggy bird (5)

I believe the answer is:

egret

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'bird' is the definition.
(I know that egret is a type of heron)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for egret that I've seen before include "Water-bird, has plume" , "Kind of heron with long white feathers" , "Type of forty eight Ac" , "Bird eating fish" , "flier" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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