There are many ways of spelling the word "Griffin" (eg Gryphon, Griffon, etc) I use the spelling "Griffin", as you may have already noticed.

Griffins live in nests called eyries, which are built high up on a cliff top or mountain. They are carnivorous, but like dragons, wouldn't think of eating a human, mostly because of the taste. One of the griffin's favorite snacks are horses, since griffins hold horses in contempt.

"Once upon an ancient time, three mythical creatures engaged in mortal combat in the skies above the world: the dragon, the chimera and the gryphon. The dragon used fire and his ability to fly to crushing effect, while the chimera looked in all directions at once with his many heads, appearing an invincible enemy. The gryphon watched his two foes for a long time, seeking out their strengths and weaknesses. At last he engaged in conflict. Using his wit and intelligence he lured the dragon into the depths of the ocean where his fire was extinguished forever. Burrowing through the earth beneath the chimera, the gryphon attacked from the one direction the chimera had not expected. The chimera never recovered from the surprise and was easily vanquished. In this way a creature thought much smaller and weaker than its adversaries won a great victory!"

Hippogryphs have raptor forequarters and wings, like griffins, but unlike griffins, they have horse hindquarters, and horse-like ears. Hippogryphs are not as smart or defiant as their brethren, and have often been turned into a mages flying mount.