The book contains 245 international stories, anecdotes and incidents about exotic and ordinary creatures, both benevolent and malicious. Among this ultranatural menagerie are urcos, púcas, the Simurgh, shape-shifters and shape-changers, the Moddey Dhoo, Black Shuck, speaking equine advisors, Bucephalus, Buraq, Babieca, the Phantom White Stallion of Skull Valley, demon cats, the Peruvian Chullachaqui and the Chilean Tue-Tue, fish-people, Laelaps, the Hedley Kow, kelpies, and Irish rat-charmers.