rt12

[pureevoke]

17d
Wealthiest, but not married, bird -s-r-c-

[teacher1]

ostrich

[pureevoke]

yes but it could also be estrich which ties in better with the clue

[Rollo]

Is theer such a word as "estrich"?

MOST RICH minus the M = Ostrich

[teacher1]

(M)ost rich

[Beatrice35]

Not Married is minus the M methinks. Rollo is a genius pureevoke for sure + has helped me to become better at cryptics, too. Rollo- bless you for your kind words elsewhere too, much appreciated.
Married Beatrice :-)

[pureevoke]

Thanks to all for your help

[Beatrice35]

Teacher 1 explains it very well too :-)
Love learning how to do cryptics + whilst still a novice am learning from wonderful posters like the ones here :-) ( the true geniuses here on AB not the intellectual snobs or the nitpickers yet the ones whom are intelligent+kind) Get excited when can finish a cryptic x word all by self, too, yet they are the gentler ones not like the Independent or the Times!! Telegraph cryptics are my favourite.
Bea- not good at being laconic :-)