I have completed this already much to my surprise - however I am not sure I have the correct answer (IMPED) for 4 down - hamper not fully repaired to improve flight for 24 (KESTREL) I have tried various permutations and none including this answer are in Chambers - can anyone clarify this for me please The last letter is from DES PREZ (Fleming who composed etc and he was a French/Fleming
Chambers has:
Imp: vt to graft, engraft ; to engraft (a hawk or falcon's wing or tail) with new feathers in order to repair broken feathers or improve flight (falconry)
Imp Cutting a broken or damaged feather and replacing it with an undamaged feather. Imping usually involves cutting the shaft of the bird's broken feather, trimming a feather that the falconer has on hand to the right length, and the gluing the shaft of the replacement feather to the shaft of the broken feather on the bird.