Snallygaster – Winged Creature of the Northeast

For centuries, a large winged beast known as the Snallygaster is said to have terrified the people of Frederick County, Maryland. The dragon-like beast is described as being a half-reptile and half-bird that lives deep in the caves of South Mountain. The mysterious creature is said to swoop silently down from the sky, stealing farm animals and children from the unsuspecting farm folk. Some say it’s real.

The area was settled by German immigrants beginning in the 1730s, who called the creature a Schneller Geist, meaning “quick spirit” in German. The earliest folklore mixes the half-bird features with nightmarish features of demons and ghouls.

Other descriptions describe the beast as half-reptile, half-bird with a metallic like beak lined with razor-sharp teeth. Sometimes it is described as having octopus-like tentacles. The earliest stories claim that this monster sucked the blood of its victims.

Full Article: https://www.legendsofamerica.com/snallygaster/

Image Source: https://books.google.com/books?id=yEkvI6CwCxcC&pg=PA1&lpg=PA1&dq=Snallygaster:+the+Lost+Legend+of+Frederick+County:+Patrick+Boyton&source=bl&ots=RmYhK88BaV&sig=h2y6vaV6PjGHNEGU6Qkw_UDpYzI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwitxNbIybTXAhUILSYKHQ98AUw4ChDoAQhTMAk#v=onepage&q&f=false