Ultra Steep Spectrum (USS) radio sources are generally powerful double
lobed objects including the most distant and most radio luminous objects
in the universe. This paper is one of a series of papers on the properties
of USS sources and their host galaxies. In Paper I (Chambers et al. 1996a)
of this series we discuss the 4C sample and the USS
criteria in detail and present optical identifications, redshifts, and
radio total intensity and polarization images of 25 objects in the 4C
sample of 34 USS sources. In this work (Paper II) we present the optical
identifications, redshifts, and detailed radio, infrared, and optical
imaging data on the remaining eight high redshift () 4C USS radio
sources. (A ninth object of unknown redshift is also discussed.) In Paper
III (Chambers et al 1996b) we present long slit infrared and intermediate
resolution optical spectroscopy of the same eight high redshift objects
shown in this paper. We extend the deep identification work to cover three
decades in radio luminosity with a sample of faint USS sources in Paper IV
(Chambers 1996c). These data papers are meant to be descriptive in nature.
The analysis and interpretation of the population of USS objects and their
astrophysical implications are discussed in Paper V (Chambers 1996d).
The alignment effect (Chambers et al. 1987, McCarthy et al. 1987) is particularly evident in the high redshift objects presented in this paper. The physical nature of the complex optical and infrared structures aligned with the radio axis is not well understood. In this paper we will not attempt to review this phenomena. Discussions and a wide variety of observational and theoretical issues concerning the alignment effect can be found in: Chambers &Miley 1989, Rees 1989, Fabian 1989, Chambers 1990, Eisenhardt &Choksi 1990, di Serego Alighieri et al. 1989, Daly 1992, Eales 1992, Scarrot et al. 1990, Dunlop and Peacock 1993, McCarthy 1993, Cimatti et al. 1995, West 1994, Rottgering et al. 1995, Dey et al. 1996, Januzzi et al. 1995, Longair et al. 1995, Dickinson et al. 1995, Dickson et al. 1995, Ridgway &Stockton, 1996 and references therein.