Listener Crossword 4298: Solution Notes
Safari by Nibor
Puzzle explanation
The thematic set represented the 14 movements of the Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns, in order, as follows: lion, chickens (Hens and Roosters), onagers (Wild Asses), tortoises, elephant, kangaroos, fish (Aquarium), donkeys (Personages with Long Ears), cuckoo, birds (Aviary), pianists, fossils, swan, finale. Letters missing from clues gave alternate letters for the whole sequence apart from PIANISTS, which appeared in the grid diagonally from cell 14.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Missing letter | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Across | |||
| 1 | (L)earn | CRAM | (C + M) around R(isk) A(ssessment) |
| 4 | bo(O)th | STEAM BATH | STEAM + BATH |
| 11 | (C)hatta | ATTACH | CHATTA * |
| 12 | bra(I)d | WREATHE | W + RE + A + THE |
| 13 | Tic(K) | MOOT | MO + O(r) T(witch) |
| 14 | Pa(N)t | PEC | PECH − H |
| 16 | Bar(O)n | BHEL | B + HEL(l) |
| 18 | (A)a | SALAAM | (SLAM AA) * |
| 22 | (E)rode | EAT IN | A in NITE < |
| 23 | di(S)able | MAIM | I in MAM |
| 24 | C(O)urse | UNREEL | RUN with first letter moved to the end + EEL |
| 26 | Mat(T)er’s | MIASMA | SAIM < + MA |
| 28 | he(I)r | CION | I in CON |
| 29 | curs(E) | ADAMS | A + DAM + S(miling) |
| 32 | Tim(E)’s | IMMODESTLY | (MY OLD TIME’S) * |
| 34 | gr(E)aves | TALLOW | T + ALLOW |
| 37 | w(H)in | ULEX | EXUL(t) with halves switched |
| 38 | Ra(N)ge | NEK | KEN < |
| 39 | (K)ing | RAJA | R + A + JA(unt) |
| 40 | Gi(N)s | COASTER | 2 meanings |
| 41 | (A)toll | REEFER | REEF + ER |
| 42 | G(O)ods | OFF-THE-PEG | OFF + THE + PEG |
| 43 | po(S)t | DERN | 2 meanings |
| Down | |||
| 1 | (I)deal | CAMUS | CAUS(e) around M |
| 2 | (H)umming | ATOK | A(hing) + TOKAY − AY |
| 3 | c(O)at | MATINÉE | (ME A NITE) * |
| 5 | s(K)in | THEIST | (HE + IS) in TT |
| 6 | hacker(Y) | ARTS | (c)ART + S |
| 7 | (C)on | MERANTI | MERE with ANTI for E |
| 8 | (C)lose | ATHANASY | A + (ANY HATS) * |
| 10 | Mach(O) | HELMSMAN | HE-MAN around (L(ogic) + M(echanical) S(cience)) |
| 14 | (B)read | PITA | (ITAS − AS) in PA |
| 15 | Rest(R)ain | CHAIN DOWN | CHINA * + DOWN |
| 20 | (S)horn | TUCUTUCO | CUT < + UT + UC + O’ |
| 21 | red(O) | DROP-LEAF | (REDO FLAP) * |
| 25 | boa(S)ting | EXMOUTH | EX + MOUTH |
| 27 | Ca(L)m | ASSURED | A + R in (DISUSE * − I) |
| 30 | (S)older | ADHERE | AD + HERE |
| 31 | Malt(A) | MERK | M + ERK |
| 33 | (F)able | YEARN | YARN around E(asily) |
| 35 | ca(N)t | WHEE | W + HEE(l) |
| 36 | (L)olly | SAFE | S(ant)A + FE |