I'm stuck on four clues if anyone can help please:
2d Dependable way to score (10) -o---t-a-k
3d Ghastly parrot concoction, same points lost (7) -a---r-
9a Is able to hear French festival (6) -a---s
11a Syndicate doesn't start philandering (8) --l-a-c-
Could somebody kindly enlighten me as to the Ghastly parrot concoction, some points lost answer being "macabre" - has it something to do with macaw and the "w" being dropped - thanks a lot