In still older versions there are few more verses that contain a situation where Jataayu comes to Raam, after their return from the River Godavaree, to take leave of Him to go and see his relatives and bird-friends. Then Shoorpankhaa knowing that Jataayu was not there, enters the hut area of Raam with a guise of a winsome beauty. [Maanas does mention that she changed her guise into a beautiful woman before coming to Raam's hut]. 

In fact no Raakshas or Raakshasee could approach that hut of Raam, as long as Jataayu was around. And as he went away to see his relatives and friends, and Shoorpankhaa knew that he was not there, only then she could enter the hut area. [It seems logical]. But in the present version she is depicted without any guise change.

The beauty aspect of Shoorpankha is not narrated in these verses by Vaalmeeki Jee. But Raam is addressing her as a beautiful woman, in this case, it looks like for fun sake or a nobleman's etiquette. If it is accepted for fun sake then this episode of Shoorpankhaa maybe considered to have Haasya Ras (comic relief), in Raamaayan. [Since Maanas says that she changed her guise in a beautiful woman, it is no more a Haasya Ras].

[Taken from Valmiki Ramayana, 3/17]