by
Dave Pollard, Nov./04
 A
Crunchword is a crossword with a difference: Each square can contain
anywhere from 1 to 6 letters, but otherwise it works just like any
other crossword. Because of the extra wrinkle, I’ve made it a bit
easier by showing the length of the answer beside each clue. For
example, the (4,4) after the clue for 9 Across means that the answer
has two words of 4 letters each, a total of eight letters squished into
the three squares. Most of the clues are quite easy; it’s deciding
which squares to put the letters in that's the challenge.
The theme of this puzzle is all the birds we see at Christmastime and
all winter long at our bird feeders, and other birds that have a
special significance at this season. The bird clues have a little bird
silhouette beside them. Why am I publishing this so early? Because many
of our friends aren't online, and ever since I started the tradition
they expect a Christmas-themed crossword from me in our Christmas card
each year. Not professional, but fun. Constructing a crossword gives
you enormous appreciation of those that churn good ones out day after
day.
Here
is a larger version of this grid, suitable for printing out if you want
to solve the puzzle. I'm not aware of any software that will allow you
to solve crunchwords online.
ACROSS
1. One of Bush’s annual budget shocks (7)
4. “_________ includes Québec” (2,6)
6. Greek holiday island (5)
8. “Fourth day of Christmas” gift, ______ birds (7) 
9. Toronto baseball team (4,4)
11. Syphilis, e.g. (1,1)
12. Rocker David Lee (4)
13. Rock classic “Stairway ___________” (2,6)
14. Pear tree denizen at Christmas (9)
16. Attempts (7)
18. Sugar packed cereal featuring a
toucan
“________ Loops” (5)
19. Mary’s lamb’s one was white (6)
20. Spouse’s parents (2-4)
21. Nut rich in antioxidants (5)
23. TV veteran “Law and ______” (5)
24. High protein Christmas bird (6)
25. “Seventh day of Christmas” gift (5)
26. Combatants (8)
27. Complete range (5)
28. Eagles’ song about an outlaw (9)
30. Gorgonzola, for example (6)
31. Grizzly, for example (4)
33. “______ Major”, Home of Sirius (5)
34. Truth, in Latin (7)
36. Resolutely (7)
37. Object (5)
38. Bringer into conformity (6)
39. Duck, for example (5,4) |
DOWN
1. Famed Rock arranger Nick (2,4)
2. Important advice for winter bird lovers (4,3,6)
3. Quoting (6)
4. Famous song & Steve Martin comedy (2,4,6)
5. Gray bird also called Whiskey Jack (6,3)
6. Member of bird family that includes 5 Down (6)
7. Sweet confection, maple or chocolate (5)
10. Very common winter feeder visitors (8)
13. Small children (4)
15. Harness racing pace (4)
17. Power or coercion (5)
18. Whip (4)
19. Brazilian classic “Dona ____ and her 2 husbands” (4)
20. Comic book renderers (6)
21. Special treat spread on pine cones for the birds (6,6)
22. Preserves, in a way (4)
24. “Second day of Christmas” gift (6,4)
25. Did laps in the pool (4)
26. Canadian shoe czar (4)
27. “Sixth day of Christmas” gifts (5)
28. Highest part in choral music (7)
29. Dying (9)
30. A drink after hard liquor (6)
32. One that gets the worm (5,4)
35. Methylphenadate brand for ADHD (7)
36. Inventors of shock-proof watch movement (5)
|
|
MADE IN CANADA
trust your
instincts 
