Question Author
Thanks to Johnalex and Sarumite for their help. Yes indeed, Greyfox, the setters had made a mistake and the Telegraph Reader Relations Dept. apologise and say submit crossword leaving 17d incomplete. Apparently the clue relating to lark-like bird should not have been printed - technical hitch! It was obvious that POETIC was correct, because the Carlyle quotation is well-authenticated.. And the bat term was also pretty obvious,also. Infuriating when this happens - but how nice that Kate Meopham herself communicated with some of you to try to sort out our frustrations. Let's hear it for Kate - once, twice, three times a lady!
At least they are allowing the crossword to go on this week - it is so maddening when they make an error and scrap it for the week. This is much fairer.
Good crosswording, everybody! Cheers from Crosspatch.