[CROW sb.1] A name given to the Confervæ and other delicate green-spored Algæ with fine silky filaments, especially to the common freshwater species Conferva rivularis.
1721. R. Bradley, Works Nat., 55. About three miles from Colchester there are little Pits … in which they place Baskets of Oysters … to … grow green by feeding upon a sort of Crow-silk, which is in great plenty in those Pits.
1777. J. Lightfoot, Flora Scot., II. 976. River Conferva, Crow Silk.
1861. H. Macmillan, Footnotes fr. Page Nature, 166. The various species of confervæ are known in country places by the popular name of crow-silks.
