Siren (sī'run)
Siren is one of three sea nymphs, usually represented with the head of a woman and the body of a bird. (Very weird!) They are the daughters of Phorces or of Achelous. They were formerly handmaidens of the goddess Persephone. When the girl was secretly abducted by Haides, Demeter gave them the bodies of birds, and sent to assist in the search (Theoi).
According to Factmonster,The Sirens were on an island surrounded by dangerous rocks. They sang so enchantingly that all who heard were drawn near and shipwrecked. Jason and the Argonauts were saved from them by the music of Orpheus, whose songs were lovelier. Odysseus escaped them by having himself tied securely to a mast and by stopping the ears of his men (Factmonster). The Seirenes were so mad to see a man hear their song and escape. They threw themselves into the sea and drowned(Theoi).
Just like all monsters, even though Sirens attracted sailors, they destroyed the sailors' lives.
http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/ent/A0845391.%20html
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