The basilisk was a mythological beast, and the chimaera is another one, so I figure that another mythological name is appropriate.
or Garuda: Sometimes called Garida, it is probably the oldest of the great birds. Having many characteristics that are similar to the roc, the Garuda was capable of blocking out the sun with its body, and picking up elephants in it talons. It had an eagle's beak and wings with a human's body. His face was white, his wings scarlet and his body golden. Sometimes it was called the bird of life. This bird was the mount of Vishnu. Sometimes it was thought that this bird was the incarnation of the fire god because of how brightly it shone at birth. This bird was the dreaded enemy of the nagas.
or Harpy: Originally wind spirits, the Harpies' inital role is to carry to Hades the souls of the dead. The harpies are born from Typhon and Echinda. There are four Harpies: Aello (meaning rain-squall), Celaeno (storm-dark), Okypete (swift-flying), and Podarge (swift-foot). In later myths the Harpies are featured as winged monsters with pale female human faces with long hair and claws made of brass. Although invulnerable, they always look hungry and withered. Everything that they touch immediately becomes contaminated with an awful stench. They were afraid of only one thing: the sound of a brass instrument.
or Scylla: A sea-monster that guards one side of the straits of Messina. Scylla had six heads, and around her waist is a ring of barking dogs. She seizes sailors as they pass through the strait. Originally she was a beautiful nymph who was transformed by the sorceress Circe out of jealousy. She did this by filling the sea where Scylla was bathing with terrible serpents and by enchantment, they became part of her body.
(all these definitions from Gareth Long's encyclopedia of monsters etc [
http://webhome.idirect.com/~donlong/monsters/monsters.htm])
