We develop some tools, of an algebraic and combinatorial nature, which enable us to obtain a detailed description of certain quadratic subgroups of the (outer) reduced Weyl group of the Cuntz algebra ${\mathcal O}_n$. In particular, for $n=4$ our findings give a self-contained theoretical interpretation of the groups tabulated in [AJS18], which were obtained with the help of a computer. For each of these groups we provide a set of generators. A prominent role in our analysis is played by a certain family of subgroups of the symmetric group of a discrete square which we call bicompatible.