They were described by the Greeks as being composite, with the heads of maidens and the bodies of birds. The wings of the harpies were composed of metal and their flight was accompanied by a terrible clanging noise. During his wanderings, AEneas, the Trojan hero, landed on the island of the harpies, where he and his followers vainly battled with these monsters. One of the harpies perched upon a cliff and there prophesied to AEneas that his attack upon them would bring dire calamity to the Trojans.