Addendum

Nobody ever uses the Stymphalian birds. They're right not to. As to the Hydra, or a hydra if you want to be that way about it, imagine a hydra chef with its many heads gripping various spoons and pans.

Elephant in the Common Room

The main reason elephants aren't used more in fantasy is that they can't fit in an inn, making it harder to start an adventure. The solution is obvious. Open-air inns. That will also help harpies, and they sure need it.