THEME: last letter(s) of a two-word phrase read with the first letters of the second word spell the name of a bird
GOOD ONES: Signs of spring {& theme} NESTING BIRDS [they are nestled in the phrase]
Canine coat? ENAMEL [tooth]
Couple maker AND [I first had TWO]
Base path? EVIL [note two words]
Downed with a jolt TASED [I thought whiskey, etc.]
Series ender ET AL [not the World Series]
Apple product SEEDS [not I-Pod]
BTW: Where texts are often read CELL [even after I wrote the word I thought it meant prison cell not phone]
"Be My Baby" singers THE RONETTES [one of my favorite R&R songs --- group was named for lead singer Ronnie Spector, wife of arranger Phil Spector now in prison for murder]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g_FD_sYazk Mark made a particularly good puzzle with (aside from the clever clues noted above) many unusual clues for ordinary words, a wide variety of subject matter, and a clever theme appropriate for the time of year.
RATING:
Three grins = Loved it; Two grins = Enjoyed it; One grin = A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Not much fun
