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Stealthily approaches the long-legged wading birds I hear (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stalks

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'stealthily approaches' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with motion as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stalks that I've seen before include "Follows a prey stealthily" , "Hunts" , "Pursues stealthily, game or person" , "Follows stealthily with evil intent" , "Main stems of plants" .)

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