Of other fabulous bird-forms mention may be made of the griffin and the harpy.  The former was a creature half eagle, half lion, popularly supposed to be the progeny of the union of these two latter.  It is described in the so-called Voiage and Travaile of Sir JOHN MAUNDEVILLE in the following terms[1]:  “Sum men seyn, that thei ben the Body upward, as an Egle, and benethe as a Lyoun:  and treuly thei seyn sothe, that thei ben of that schapp.  But o Griffoun hathe the body more gret and is more strong thanne 8 Lyouns, of suche Lyouns as ben o this half; and more gret and strongere, than an 100 Egles, suche as we ben amonges us.  For o Griffoun there will bere, fleynge to his Nest, a gret Hors, or 2 Oxen zoked to gidere, as thei gon at the Plowghe.  For he hathe his Talouns so longe and so large and grete, upon his Feet, as thoughe thei weren Hornes of grete Oxen or of Bugles or of Kyzn; so that men maken Cuppes of hem, to drynken of:  and of hire Ribbes and of the Pennes of hire Wenges, men maken Bowes fulle strong, to schote with Arwes and Quarelle.”  The special characteristic of the griffin was its watchfulness, its chief function being thought to be that of guarding secret treasure.  This characteristic, no doubt, accounts for its frequent use in heraldry as a supporter to the arms.  It was sacred to APOLLO, the sun-god, whose chariot was, according to early sculptures, drawn by griffins.  PLINY, who speaks of it as a bird having long ears and a hooked beak, regarded it as fabulous.

[1] The Voiage and Travaile of Sir JOHN MAUNDEVILLE, Kt.  Which treateth of the Way to Hierusalem; and of Marvayles of Inde, with other Ilands and Countryes.  Now Publish’d entire from an Original MS. in The Cotton Library (London, 1727), cap. xxvi. pp. 325 and 326.

“This work is mainly a compilation from the writings of William of Boldensele, Friar Odoric of Pordenone, Hetoum of Armenia, Vincent de Beauvais, and other geographers.  It is probable that the name John de Mandeville should be regarded as a pseudonym concealing the identity of Jean de Bourgogne, a physician at Liege, mentioned under the name of Joannes ad Barbam in the vulgate Latin version of the Travels.” (Note in British Museum Catalogue).  The work, which was first published in French during the latter part of the fourteenth century, achieved an immense popularity, the marvels that it relates being readily received by the credulous folk of that and many a succeeding day.

The harpies (i.e. snatchers) in Greek mythology are creatures like vultures as to their bodies, but with the faces of women, and armed with sharp claws.

“Of Monsters all, most Monstrous this; no greater Wrath God sends ’mongst Men; it comes from depth of pitchy Hell:  And Virgin’s Face, but Womb like Gulf unsatiate hath, Her Hands are griping Claws, her Colour pale and fell."[1]

[1] Quoted from VERGIL by JOHN GUILLIM in his A Display of Heraldry (sixth edition, 1724), p. 271.