Octet by Hedge-sparrow

Puzzle explanation

The extra letter pairs in clues spelt out “British Isles”. Corrections to the misprints in other clues gave “titmouse”, the letters of which replaced others in the grid to reveal the eight varieties of titmouse that are seen in Britain (the long-tailed and bearded ones are tits in name only, actually belonging to other families).

Clue explanations

Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal

No (Misprint)/[extra letters] Answer Explanation
Across
1   GLOBEFLOWERS G + LOBE + F + LOWERS
10   LOBOS LOOS around B
11   SPACIER S + PACIER
12   INVAR RA < after INV
13   CHALS CHA + L(adie)S
14 [BR]exit FEE FLEE − L
16 s(T)one GIRASOL (OIL RAGS) *
17 un[IT] ULNA (hospita)L in UN + A
18 t(I)nts SHADES (prisoner)S HAD ES(caped)
22   OVERS COVERS − C
23   SATELLES (T)ELSTA(r) * + LES
27   INTERIOR (POINTER − PO) around RIO
28 Ex(T)ort BLEED B + LEED(s)
31   IDENTS NT in IDES
33   VEND V + END
34 dem[IS]e DEMEANE DEME + ANE
37   ODD (t)ODD(y)
38   HARSH R in HASH
39   STAVE T in SAVE
40   CRUISES (USS ERI(e)) * after C
41   DETER RESTED < − (account)S
42   MERSEYSIDERS ((a)M(u)S(e)D + YES SIRREE) *
Down
1   GLIMS G + SLIM *; ref. 20dn
2   LONG LOG around N
3   OBVIATE ((pleasur)E + BOAT) * around VI
4   BOARDED (HOARD − H(azelnut)) in BED
5   FRCS FRACAS − A − A
6 Ge(M) OPAL O + LAP <
7   WALLOW WALLOP − P + W
8 [HI]king RIFLE (I + R) < + FLE(w)
9   GREASER AGREES * + (schoone)R
11 V(O)lley SHOT HOT after S
15   ENROOT (OR in ONE) < + T(ooth)
19 La(U)ded HAILED DELILAH < − (ear)L
20 (S)lender SLIM LIMES * − (juic)E
21 win(E) ASTI (bl)ASTI(ng)
23   SUB VOCE (ECO + BUS) < around V
24   CREATED REACTED with C(ain) moved up
25 [SL]ate PINNATE PIN + (quee)N + ATE
26   ADMASS MAD * + ASS
29   ENDUE (hid)E + NUDE *
30   MESS MESS(iaen)
32   SEERS 3 meanings
34 d[ES]ire DREE E after DIRE − I
35   MHOS (SH around O + M) <
36   EVER R(emorseful) after EVE
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