Crossword Genius

Sort of seabird from China? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eastern

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'from china?' is the definition.
(China is a country of the east)

'sort of seabird' is the wordplay.
'sort of' becomes 'east' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'seabird' becomes 'ern' (I've seen this in another clue).
'east'+'ern'='EASTERN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eastern that I've seen before include "Maybe Chinese" , "towards daybreak?" , "China?" , "Nearest (anag) - oriental" , "From Japan, say" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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