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Indeed, my 'double' 😂

I can't find a word that fits with my crossers for 23a - although I'm pretty sure of them. It doesn't help that I don't understand the clue ... will be glad to finish this, it's taken me all day!

Hi Neville,

23a - is a reverse hidden. The definition of is a dialect word (hence 'local') of the translation of 'oiseau'.

23 is actually quite easy, though I had to Google to confirm. It's a bird, but not what we would call it. I'm not sure where it is called that - pre4sumably not in France either!

Managed about 3/4 but had to call it a day. New words for me at 3 and 19 d. Have the answer now but could someone explain 22 d please. Not sure why nightstick - isn’t that a type of club?

Indeed not ChrisE - being French, and having been married to a birder, I can assure you I've never heard it called this by anyone !! But very glad to have finished this challenging puzzle.

22 d parses as a 3 letter word for "nightstick, say" substituted for the 2nd letter of a 4 letter word (withheld to avoid spoiler). Definition "heat"

Hi everyone

Started to look at this at 3.00pm, then had a break at 4.00pm when a friend called round. Needless to say I hadn't got any answers by 4.00pm. Now I must make the Ribilita as my husband is out at Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival. I'm having a day off today. Having looked through the thread, I don't think I'll go back for another try.

RibOllita, roof?
I like to encourage you, but I thought it was difficult too!

As a hint, jono suspoects that this is Enigmatists 250th puzzle....