Ok, this was a little too hard; Bad idea on my part. It's a creature from cryptozoology (like the basilisk, griffon, roc, etc). If no one can dig up the answer by tonight I'll just end it.
Clue: This particular beast is the "Death Omen", from old northern British folklore.
You didn't guess a letter but I'll add the "H" from your word guess.
@basilisk: Never heard of Barghest.... but thanks for a new word. I'm an rpg nerd so cryptozoology is always cool. Edit: Argh... I just found out it already is in the d&d monstrous manual. *ashamed*