In some communities in Newfoundland, an age-old tradition is being played out this Boxing Day.

The Wren Boys are groups of children or men, who go around house-to-house on St. Stephen’s Day seeking recompense for the Wren, the King of the Birds.

Tradition has it that Saint Stephen was martyred by the Romans after he was given away by a wren that was flushed from the bush in which he was hiding.

Local folklorist Dale Jarvis says the tradition was brought to the island from Ireland, and is still practiced today in some communities including Renews on the Southern Shore and Colliers in Conception Bay.

The Wren Boys go door-to-door with an effigy of a bird and recites a poem for some money or a treat.

Jarvis says the poem was: “The Wren, the Wren, the King of the Birds, on St. Stephen’s Day was caught in the furze.  Although he was little, his honour was great, rise up kind lady and give us a treat.  Up with the kettle, and down with the pan, give us a penny to bury the Wren.”

Jarvis says one keen follower of the tradition, Dennis Flynn of Colliers, came up with a clever way to represent the Wren.

As a boy Flynn used to cut the rooster from a Corn Flakes box and use that as his Wren.