That is the call of the small but mighty wren.

They're some of the tiniest birds in existence, and their plumage is unassuming, to say the least.

Drab browns and grays, they essentially blend in with the background.

But just wait till they start singing.

Their loud, complex songs, and their tendency to sing them throughout the year, has earned

them the title the King of Birds. But on December 26th, the King is dead.

From Ireland in the Isle of Man comes the custom of Wren Day, a traditional hunting of the Wren

followed by celebrations that include disguise, door-to-door visiting and parading, and song.

Similar customs have existed in England, Wales, France, and Spain.

But Ireland perhaps can claim true ownership of this fine-feathered festivity. It's still

carried out there each year to this day, though mercifully, for the sake of the Wrens,

several things have changed. But why do Wrens get their own day? And what's the point of hunting

the harmless little fellas? And what does any of this have to do with Christmas? It's certainly one of our

most strange and mysterious Christmas customs, a mixture of Celtic mythology, old Christmas traditions,

and revenge for giving away secrets. I'm Brian Earle. This is Christmas past. December 26th falls within the traditional 12 days of Christmas,

which begin on Christmas Day and end with 12th night on January 5th.

December 26th does some heavy lifting.

It's Boxing Day, St. Stephen's Day, and also Ren Day.

They are three distinct observances that happen to fall on the same day.

Actually, Ren Day and St. Stephen's Day overlap a bit, and we'll come back to that.

But first, let's paint a picture of Wren Day. It begins on the morning of December 26th,

with a group of locals, typically young boys, known as Wren Boys.

...