bird contest mythical creature

for DA's bird club:

'cos the digital art contest topic is mythical bird!

The Peryton

Having the head, antlers and front legs of a deer (according to D&D: a blue-black stag), the back legs and wings of a huge bird, sharp teeth and, curiously, the shadow of a man, the peryton is an evil creature that was said to inhabit Atlantis. Because of its shadow, it was suspected by scholars that the peryton would be a spiritual manifestation of travellers that had perished far from home.

The peryton has been mentionned as instrumental in the fall of Rome. As far as fantastic creatures go, it's a relatively obscure one. Recently, though, it has known a surge in popularity thanks to its appearance in Dungeons and Dragons.